Thomas Edison's Milestones
Birth
Thomas Edison was born in Milan, Ohio, to Samuel and Nancy Edison.
Family moved to Port Huron
Family moved to Port Huron, Michigan, where Edison grew up.
Early education by mother
Edison was homeschooled by his mother, who encouraged his curiosity and love of reading.
Began hearing loss
Began losing his hearing at age 12, which worsened throughout his life.
Started selling newspapers on trains
Worked as a newsboy on trains between Port Huron and Detroit, selling newspapers and snacks.
Saved a child, learned telegraphy
Saved a child from a train accident; the child's father taught him telegraphy, leading to his first telegraph job.
First entrepreneurial venture
Printed and sold his own newspaper, the Grand Trunk Herald, on trains.
Worked as telegraph operator
Worked as a telegraph operator in several cities, gaining technical expertise.
First patent (vote recorder)
Received his first patent for an electric vote recorder.
Moved to New York
Moved to New York City and began working as an inventor.
Founded first company
Founded Pope, Edison & Co., his first electrical engineering company.
Invented stock ticker
Invented and improved the stock ticker, earning significant income.
Married Mary Stilwell
Married Mary Stilwell; they had three children before her death.
Established Menlo Park laboratory
Opened his famous Menlo Park laboratory, the first industrial research lab.
Invented phonograph
Invented the phonograph, the first device to record and reproduce sound, gaining worldwide fame.
Invented carbon microphone
Invented the carbon microphone, improving telephone technology.
Formed Edison Electric Light Company
Founded the Edison Electric Light Company, which later became part of General Electric.
Invented practical incandescent light bulb
Invented a practical incandescent light bulb, revolutionizing indoor lighting.
First public demonstration of light bulb
Presented the first public demonstration of his incandescent light bulb at Menlo Park.
Developed electric power distribution
Opened the Pearl Street Station in New York City, the first commercial power plant.
Married Mina Miller
Married Mina Miller; they had three children and lived in West Orange, New Jersey.
Established laboratory in West Orange
Opened a new laboratory complex in West Orange, New Jersey, expanding his research and manufacturing.
Founded Edison Manufacturing Company
Founded Edison Manufacturing Company to produce motion pictures and other inventions.
Worked on mining and cement
Experimented with ore milling and cement production, though these ventures were less successful.
Invented Kinetograph motion picture camera
Invented the Kinetograph, an early motion picture camera, and the Kinetoscope viewer.
Invented nickel-iron battery
Invented and patented the nickel-iron rechargeable battery.
Formed Edison Storage Battery Company
Founded Edison Storage Battery Company to commercialize his battery inventions.
Led Naval Consulting Board
Chaired the Naval Consulting Board during World War I, advising the U.S. Navy on technology.
Rubber research and Goldenrod plant
Researched domestic sources of rubber, developing a high-latex-yield Goldenrod plant.
Final years and public honors
Received numerous awards and honors; remained active in business and research until his death.
Death
Thomas Edison died at his home, Glenmont, in West Orange, New Jersey, of complications from diabetes.